Reference Guide Printed Version Is it Free with Subscription Service

Discussion in 'SolidWorks' started by Rocko, Feb 4, 2004.

  1. Rocko

    Rocko Guest

    I guess when SW kept telling us all that no one wanted a reference guide we
    all laughed because we new what a joke that was. The now have a download of
    the pdf version 1000 pages long and even say they are going to offer a
    printed version. The question i ask is if i am on maintenance then i better
    not have to pay the manual. That should be included with the software. Its
    not like we are paying chump change $1200+ a year maintenance. I am not
    about to spend $100 in ink jet cartridges to print it out, nor am i taking
    it to kinko for $65 when it should be part of the service in our
    maintenance. What are your feelings? Do you think they will try to charge
    us?
     
    Rocko, Feb 4, 2004
    #1
  2. Rocko

    Muggs Guest

    I agree completely!
    When you buy a Corvette, you get a complete owners manual, not a "What's
    New" from the 2003 Corvette, even though you may have owned one.

    It's my anology and I'm stickin' with it,
    Muggs
     
    Muggs, Feb 4, 2004
    #2
  3. Rocko

    Michael Guest

    In my current state of diminished expectations, I'm just glad it exists...

    and you don't have to pay for the manual; the PDF is free. (which frankly
    seems reasonable to me). If you want it on paper, then $
     
    Michael, Feb 4, 2004
    #3
  4. Rocko

    Zander Guest

    Save trees! Ruin you eyes! Seriously though... I don't like reading off
    of a screen. I think they should send out a paper version to any
    maintainance customer that asks for one.

    Zander
     
    Zander, Feb 4, 2004
    #4
  5. Rocko

    Arlin Guest

    Not so sure I agree here, folks. No matter how you look at it,
    supplying a 'free' printed guide will cost SWX money.

    Eventually, this cost MUST be passed on in one of 2 ways:
    1.) a direct increase in purchase/maintenance price
    2.) a decrease in funds to other areas of development/support
     
    Arlin, Feb 4, 2004
    #5
  6. Rocko

    Michael Guest

    you could always take orders...

    1) print up copies in bulk
    2) sell them for less the $60 including shipping
    3) profit???
     
    Michael, Feb 4, 2004
    #6
  7. I'm a bit on Arlin's side, if you assume all the current $ is being spent
    properly. If it's being wasted (according to MY value system) then , by all
    means, I want more. But if it is, in fact, being used properly, then he has
    a good point.

    However, I'm not so sure I really want a book. It's the same thing as the
    help button, and the electronic version has hyperlinks to related areas.
    True, it's harder to read it on the bus, in the easy chair with a *drink*
    (coffee...) in hand, etc, but is it worth jumping to the index several times
    just to find all the references? Turning pages of a book is such hard work!
    And where do I put these massive books???

    Now, all that being said, I'm glad I have a copy for those here that want to
    read a hard copy. :) (This message truly borders on silly - back to work,
    slave!)

    WT

     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 4, 2004
    #7
  8. Rocko

    Jeff N Guest

    I demand they send me a 21" Flat Panel monitor for free so I can read it
    while working on SolidWorks without toggling windows. ;p

     
    Jeff N, Feb 4, 2004
    #8
  9. Rocko

    Rocko Guest

    We are seeing a decrease in SW corporate doing a good job in the first
    place ie.. SP0, SP1, SP2 (hush no ones supposed to remember that one), SP
    2.1 and of course the great install routine they now force us all to use. I
    am just glad i do not have some of the problems you guys have or i would be
    ballistic. Also SW makes a good profit margin. I can tell you that my Cam
    program comes out with 3 books every major release and they change a hell
    lot less features than SW, they also charge the same on maintenance as SW.
     
    Rocko, Feb 4, 2004
    #9
  10. Rocko

    Per O. Hoel Guest

    A distinct advantage with the PDF manual is that (when displayed on
    the computer screen) it can easily be searched through the left-hand
    column index or by text strings. Also, the pages contain built-in
    links which allow the user to instantly view inter-related topics.

    How long do you think it would take to find each and every reference
    to "fillet", for example, while fumbling through the two volume set of
    printed paper manuals.

    The main advantage I see with the paper version is to just have it
    open alongside the monitor and not compete for screen area.

    Certainly all registered/maintained users should be entitled to a free
    printed copy of the guide, but I'd be willing to bet that, after the
    cozy feeling of having one in hand wears off, the large proportion of
    physical manuals go largely unused. Those who want to use them should
    be provided with the hardcopy. All others should be glad to save some
    trees!

    A big problem with the paper version is obsolescence. As soon as
    corrections are made or new information is added, the PDF electronic
    format can be instantly replaced and up to date. With paper, addendum
    sheets have to be slipped in between existing pages and it's hard to
    justify printing complete new volumes until many modifications pile
    up.

    In my opinion, the best manual to have in print is the What's New
    Guide for each release, since it's something each user really ought to
    go through carefully one page at a time, while actually bookmarking
    progress...

    Just my 2ยข

    Per O. Hoel
    _________________________________________________________________________
     
    Per O. Hoel, Feb 4, 2004
    #10
  11. Rocko

    kenneth b Guest

    A big problem with the paper version is obsolescence. As soon as


    i believe this is the exact reason why hard copies aren't published.

    don't forget that all languages have to get updated, not just english. how
    many copies of each language should be published? ... and when the manuals
    become obsolete (which they will in 9~10 months) what happens to the unused
    manuals? waste not, want not
     
    kenneth b, Feb 4, 2004
    #11
  12. The main advantage I see with the paper version is to just have it
    I agree with a lot of what you said - especially your point that after a
    while printed manuals mostly go unused.
    However, just because they are on my mind, I can think of three more big
    advantages of a printed version over an electronic one:

    1. If you can't remember what a thing is called, you can quickly flip
    through until you see the picture that corresponds to what you are looking
    for. I never bothered to memorize exactly how to work a vary pattern or
    vary sketch or whatever the hell that thing is called -I just remembered to
    flip through and look for the picture of the slots shriking as they got
    patterned (that one time every six months when that feature comes in handy)

    2. With an online manual, you go right to what you are looking for (assuming
    you know the name and can spell). Its really hard to stumble across
    intersting things that you are not looking for. Little accidents can make
    all the diference - you are flipping to page 280, but when passing page 250
    you see a picture of something that you didn't know you didn't know. Before
    you realize it, that little discovery is shaving minutes off of every day.

    3. Folded corners, post-its, written notes, etc that we use to make it easy
    to navigate. Printed manuals are really interactive, and grow with you.

    I'm glad we got a printed manual at SW World this year. I might not use it
    much, but I bet the times I do use it I'll learn something by accident.
     
    Edward T Eaton, Feb 5, 2004
    #12
  13. I like that - "learn something by accident" - is that copyrighted, or can I
    use it too? I have to agree there - paging through, sometimes something
    catches your eye. I'm also one of those that has trouble getting out of the
    dictionary after just one word. However, I have to point out that I also do
    that with the electronic version. Slightly different method, but veering
    off the intended path on purpose is only a click away. :)

    WT

     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 5, 2004
    #13
  14. Well the printed version is available at he SW website for $30
     
    Rob Rodriguez, Feb 6, 2004
    #14
  15. Me! Me! Me!

    Did yesterday:
    If you press the "numlock" key for more than 5 seconds, then You'll hear a
    "beep" every time you press "numlock" or "capslock".


    Helps in preventing " hELLO, HOW ARE YOU ..."
     
    Jean Marc BRUN, Feb 6, 2004
    #15
  16. Cool! I've never seen that one before.

    WT

     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 6, 2004
    #16
  17. Rocko

    Merry Owen Guest

    What a great tip!!
    Thanks

    Merry :)

     
    Merry Owen, Feb 7, 2004
    #17
  18. 3.) a decrease in the gold plated bathtub fund for the CEO
     
    Mike J. Wilson, Feb 7, 2004
    #18
  19. I'm also one of those that has trouble getting out of the
    What a great analogy!
     
    Edward T Eaton, Feb 8, 2004
    #19
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